The Academy’s 14th Governors Awards, a prestigious event at which esteemed individuals in the film industry are honored, has experienced a change in its scheduled date. Originally set to take place on November 18, 2023, the event has now been postponed until January 9, 2024. The reason behind this decision is the hope that by January, the ongoing actors and writers strikes will have been resolved, allowing for a smoother and more successful event.
The Governors Awards, unlike the Academy Awards, is a non-televised gala dinner. It is organized by a union crew and would not have been subject to picketing by the striking guilds if it had proceeded as planned in November. However, there might have been other logistical and organizational challenges to contend with during that time.
The Governors Awards are strategically held during the peak of Oscar season. The Academy reasoned that scheduling the event during this period would attract numerous high-profile individuals who are currently in contention for Academy Awards. Being seen at the Governors Awards provides an opportunity for these individuals to gain exposure, be photographed, and mingle with Academy members. In fact, in recent years, the Governors Awards have drawn more stars compared to the actual Oscars. This is mainly due to the fact that nominees for the Oscars are not yet known at the time of the Governors Awards, and thus no one has been eliminated from contention.
Attending the Governors Awards comes with a significant cost. A table at the event costs $75,000, while an individual seat is priced at $7,500. Typically, studios cover these expenses and fill their tables by inviting key contributors to their films, including actors and writers, to sit alongside top executives. Given the ongoing strikes, this dynamic would be challenging to maintain.
Another factor that contributed to the decision to postpone the event is the fact that two of this season’s four Governors Awards honorees are actors: Angela Bassett and Mel Brooks, the latter of whom is also a writer. If the November date had been retained, it would have put them in an uncomfortable position. If they chose not to accept their awards in-person, it would have posed a dilemma for the Academy, as the other two honorees are not as widely known and may not independently attract as many attendees.
The Academy’s decision to reschedule the Governors Awards to January strikes a balance between accommodating the striking guilds and maintaining the event’s primary incentive for movie stars to attend: the opportunity for exposure before Oscar nomination voting begins. Voting for Academy Award nominations typically starts on January 11 and remains open until January 16. In past years, when the Governors Awards were delayed due to the pandemic, attendance by notable individuals was significantly lower compared to other years.
The rescheduled Governors Awards is now part of a densely packed awards season calendar in January 2024. In addition to this event, the 75th Emmys, originally planned for September 18, have also been moved to January 15 due to the strikes. Other significant events during this month include the 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival on January 4, the BAFTA Tea Party on January 6, the 81st Golden Globe Awards on January 7, the 24th AFI Awards luncheon on January 12, and the 29th Critics Choice Awards on January 14. Furthermore, the 47th Sundance Film Festival is scheduled to take place from January 18 to January 28. The nominations for the 96th Academy Awards will also be announced on January 23.
With all these events compressed into a single month, the film industry is set for an exciting and eventful start to the year. Despite the challenges posed by ongoing strikes and the subsequent rescheduling of events, there is much anticipation for the Governors Awards and the recognition it will offer to outstanding individuals in the film industry.